Teodora Georgieva, Bulgaria’s European Prosecutor at the EPPO, has filed an unprecedented report with the Ministry of Justice detailing threats, pressure, and corruption involving senior Bulgarian prosecutors and sanctioned politician Delyan Peevski. Amid her own disciplinary proceedings and past scandals like leaked recordings with fixer Petyo Petrov, she alleges sabotage in key cases such as the Chiren gas storage expansion, prompting institutional probes and protection measures.
Teodora Georgieva’s Bombshell Report Surfaces
Bulgaria’s European Prosecutor, Teodora Georgieva, has lodged a formal whistleblower report with the Ministry of Justice, exposing alleged corruption, personal threats, and institutional sabotage targeting the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
As reported by Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency) in their article “Whistleblower Alert: Bulgarian European Prosecutor Exposes Corruption and Safety Threats” published on 6 March 2026, the Ministry confirmed receipt of Georgieva’s detailed documentation.
The report accuses high-ranking figures from Bulgaria’s Prosecutor’s Office and sanctioned political leader Delyan Peevski of undermining EPPO authority, marking an extraordinary escalation in Bulgaria’s chronic judicial woes.
Novinite.com details that Georgieva, currently under EPPO disciplinary proceedings, linked these pressures to her work on investigations of national and European significance.
Ministry of Justice Receives Unprecedented Signal
The Bulgarian Ministry of Justice described Georgieva’s submission as “unprecedented,” triggering immediate protective and investigative actions.
According to Novinite.com, the report includes extensive evidence on the conduct of senior officials and references Georgieva’s involvement in high-profile probes, notably the Chiren gas storage facility expansion vital for energy security.
Georgieva claims actions involve senior figures from the Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Bulgaria and Delyan Peevski, a media mogul and politician sanctioned for corruption by the United States and United Kingdom under the Magnitsky Act.
The Ministry authorised publication of the report at Georgieva’s request to safeguard judicial independence and transparency.
Forwarded Actions and Protection Measures
Novinite.com reports that the Ministry forwarded the signal to the Ministry of Interior for Georgieva’s immediate protection and threat verification.
It also notified the Personal Data Protection Commission to ensure compliance with EU Whistleblower Directive (EU) 2019/1937.
Further, the special investigation mechanism for the Prosecutor General and deputies was alerted, alongside a competent prosecutor’s office in another EU state over cross-border threats.
Links to Chiren Gas Storage Investigation
Georgieva ties the pressures to her probe into the Chiren gas storage expansion, a project critical to Bulgaria and EU energy infrastructure.
As per Novinite.com, in March 2025, Georgieva publicly stated she felt threatened by Delyan Peevski and withdrew from the Chiren case, citing intimidation linked to the indictment of former Energy Minister and current Bulgartransgaz head Vladimir Malinov.
She requested and received protection from EPPO Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruța Kövesi.
Novinite.com notes this follows her earlier removal from duties in September 2025 amid an internal EPPO administrative investigation into suspected irregularities in the Chiren matter.
Leaked Recordings and Petyo Petrov Connection
A key flashpoint is anonymous secret recordings from a 2020 meeting at the “Eight Dwarfs” restaurant, leaked in March 2025.
Novinite.com quotes Georgieva asserting she was introduced to Petyo Petrov (aka “Evroto”), alleged head of the criminal network “The Eight Dwarfs” influencing Bulgaria’s justice system, by a high-ranking Bulgarian prosecutor with whom she had collegial ties.
Georgieva claims the footage was edited to speculate on her while hiding other magistrates’ presence.
BTA (Bulgarian Telegraph Agency), in their article
“Corruption Allegations against Bulgaria’s European Prosecutor Probed”
dated 11 March 2025, reports an anonymous video leak showing Petrov discussing a corruption scheme with an unidentified woman purportedly Georgieva, accompanied by a letter implicating her.
BTA specifies the Sofia City Prosecution Office (SCPO) launched its own probe into the video, matching details without naming Georgieva directly.
EPPO Disciplinary Proceedings Against Georgieva
Georgieva faces serious misconduct charges from the EPPO, compounding her whistleblower status.
As detailed by Novinite.com in
“EPPO Finds Bulgaria’s European Prosecutor Guilty of Serious Misconduct”
on 26 February 2026, the EPPO College concluded Georgieva committed grave violations based on the Disciplinary Board’s opinion from senior European institution representatives.
The College has yet to decide on measures, with dismissal possible given the post’s responsibility; Chief Prosecutor Kövesi notified the European Parliament, Council, and Commission.
Georgieva remains suspended without salary pending final rulings, per EPPO staff rules.
Novinite.com links this to the anonymous video suggesting Petrov facilitated her appointment, prompting her suspension.
April 2025 Disciplinary Meeting Claims
During an April 2025 EPPO disciplinary meeting, Georgieva alleges a senior Bulgarian prosecutor falsely claimed evidence of bribes against her, unsupported by facts.
Novinite.com reports she provided documentary proof of the meeting and conversation.
Petyo Petrov’s Shadow Over Bulgarian Judiciary
Fugitive fixer Petyo “Evroto” Petrov looms large, tied to Georgieva via leaks and broader corruption networks.
BTA notes Petrov, former Sofia Investigation Service director, is on trial in absentia for extortion and forging documents to steal cash and gold from a businessman; he vanished in 2023 as law enforcement closed in.
The leak email mimicked the Anti-Corruption Fund (ACF) address, but ACF denied involvement, warning of Petrov’s rumored “secret archives” for extortion.
Brussels Post, in
“Bulgarian European Prosecutor Faces Anti-Corruption Review Amid Lobbying Allegations”
on 13 June 2025, states SCPO tasked the Commission for Combating Corruption with probing video-related individuals.
Investigative journalist Nikolay Staykov of ACF suggested to Brussels Post that Bulgarian prosecutors may hold Petrov’s compromising materials, using the video for intimidation post-Georgieva’s cooperation complaints on multimillion-euro probes.
Institutional and Political Reactions
Responses underscore Bulgaria’s rule-of-law crisis.
Novinite.com quotes Acting Justice Minister Andrey Yankulov calling it a “turning point,” with more challenging networks like “The Dwarves” and influential justice figures.
He stressed societal action is key to overcoming entrenched interests.
Brussels Post highlights scrutiny on EPPO integrity amid Bulgarian corruption.
Novinite.com notes EPPO’s Luxembourg office withholding further details.
Broader Context of Bulgarian Judicial Scandals
This unfolds against Bulgaria’s history of EPPO clashes and EU oversight.
Novinite.com references Georgieva’s March 2025 Peevski threat claims and Chiren withdrawal.
BTA ties it to ACF’s Petrov exposés.
The case tests EPPO’s post-2021 efficacy in Eastern Europe.
Timeline of Key Events
- 2020: Georgieva meets Petrov at “Eight Dwarfs” restaurant.
- March 2025: Leaked recordings surface; Georgieva alleges Peevski threats, withdraws from Chiren case.
- April 2025: Disciplinary meeting with false bribe claims.
- June 2025: SCPO anti-corruption review announced.
- September 2025: EPPO disciplinary proceedings begin.
- February 2026: EPPO College finds serious misconduct.
- March 2026: Georgieva’s whistleblower report to Ministry.
Compiled from Novinite.com, BTA, and Brussels Post timelines.
Implications for EU Funds and Justice Reform
Georgieva’s Chiren probe involved potential misuse of EU-linked energy funds, risking broader clawbacks.
Stakeholders eye judicial vetting overhauls and EPPO autonomy boosts.
Acting Minister Yankulov, per Novinite.com, urged collective reform efforts.
Transparency International and EU bodies may intensify monitoring, echoing past Venice Commission critiques of prosecutorial “monarchy.”
Multiple investigations proceed: SCPO video probe, EPPO disciplinaries, Ministry threat checks.
Georgieva received threats even in another EU state, per her report.
Novinite.com emphasizes her push for transparency to protect whistleblowers.
As ACF warned via BTA, Petrov’s archives could fuel more smears.
This saga highlights persistent high-level corruption, with Georgieva positioned as both accuser and accused.
